If you know that seashells are made of basically the same stuff as chalk, you might have wondered why chalk is crumbly but seashells are super tough. This week on Reactions, we explain: The secret’s in the biochemistry.
Sources:
- Mollusk Shell Formation: A Source of New Concepts for Understanding Biomineralization Processes
- The formation and mineralization of mollusk shell.
- How are seashells created? Or any other shell, such as a snail's or a turtle's
- Mystery solved: Why seashells’ mineral forms differently in seawater
- How to Make a Seashell - Just Add Water!
- Bivalve shell structure and organic matrix
- Sidewalk Chalk and the Calcium Cycle
- Blackboard Chalk Isn’t Chalk
- Calcite vs Aragonite
- Aragonite
- Calcite
- What are pearls and mother-of-pearl?
- Mother of Pearl Secret Revealed
- How Do Oysters Make Pearls?
;void(0);){kind=link}